Mama Sarah Obama reveals why she snubbed President Uhuru Kenyatta

Martin Oduor

November 2, 2016 10:23 AM

President Obama’s grandmother has revealed she turned down President Uhuru’s invitation to State House on Mashujaa Day to save face.

Mashujaa Day celebration in Machakos witnessed drama as President Uhuru failed to name Raila and his father Jaramogi Odinga among Kenya’s heroes.

But even that, State House had contacted Mama Sarah Obama to meet Uhuru at the celebrations in Machakos before proceeding to State House.

But interestingly President Obama’s grandmother snubbed Uhuru, and her reason for turning down the invitation is even more dramatic.

The Star quoted Obama family spokesperson, Nicholas Rajula, as saying that Mama Sarah cancelled Uhuru’s invitation because she didn’t want to be perceived as a mole by the Luo community.

"She cancelled the trip for fear of being branded a mole. Mama Sarah turned down the invitation she received two months before to save her reputation.” The Star quoted Nicholas Rajula.

The family spokesperson further explained that President Obama’s granny was in a precarious position since the timing of the invitation was bad. He explained that Raila Odinga was going to battle Uhuru for the presidency and were she to accept Uhuru’s invitation, her family’s name would have been painted in bad light. (Note: Mama Sarah hails from Siaya County, the hotbed of Luo politics and where any action deemed to betray Raila is perceived as a betrayal of the entire Luo people.)

Mr. Rajula told the Star that Obama family was not ready to support initiatives that would lead to accusations of betrayal of the Luo community.

"She said she could not make it especially now that Raila Odinga will be battling it out with President Uhuru.”

Martin Oduor